The only real exception to this advantage is if you want to stay in or near to one of Mexico's popular beach destinations. The basket of basic items for a couple in Mazatln will cost you about 21,000 pesos (US$1,100 per month) if you own your own apartment, and 27,000 pesos (about US$1,450) if you rent a house near the beach. this is a very detailed information and is very helpful. near the Zona Romantica or maybe the South Shore. That is it. Loved all the extra links at the end! It could be 2 different places in the same country. Because if Im paying $200 HOA fees monthly, my condo better have a gym. If youre staying in one place for months on end and walking everywhere, your transportation bill could be close to $0. Facebook groups are another great place to find long-term housing in Mexico. I now live in Puerto Vallarta. While cost of living varies by location, a typical couple can expect to spend roughly $2,500 a month to live comfortably in Mexico. I am disable/retired vet(53), however, functional. + Ultimate Guide to Living in TulumContinue. Interesting question, and not one where I will have a lot of firm ideas here as its a bit outside of my wheelhouse. Thinking 350.00 to 450.00 each can share a nice place. I keep hearing that you need a Tourist card or visa which can be subject to the whim of the consulate interviewer. Their monthly budget is 66,625 pesos a month, or about US$2,987. Then there will also be quirky situations and opportunities that are harder to find but certainly exist. Im Michael Olumide. A 3,700-square-foot home in Santa Fe was listed earlier this month for $2.17 million. My top recommendation for where to live in Mexico on $500 per month isSan Cristobal de las Casasbecause its a beautiful city with lots of things to do and its very inexpensive. I have visited there a few times, and I love it, despite some of the negative parts of the city, and state of Guerrero. Recently visited Lake Chapala/Guadalajara.. Chapala has changed so much that we are looking around at other possibilities. In more off the beaten path places, you can live comfortably on $500-$1,000 per month in places like Oaxaca, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Puerto Escondido, etc. I do not know your life style, but I love walking in P.V. about 400 pesos per month. I personally love it there, have met some wonderful people, and have not ran into any trouble. Use that figure as a guide to the food and transport costs I mention (check that exchange rate here). Less work, less stress, no bosses, more time to spend together and see Mexico. places overseas with a lower cost of living, Average Cost of Living Across Mexico: $600 $2,000, Cost of a Month of Living in San Pancho, Mexico. I know that many say its safe to fly in and out, but the surrounding instability make is so I wouldnt feel securing knowing I had a base that I could return to year in and year out. Long story short,that post went viral and a million visitors have read about the $650 baseline costs to live in Thailand. Once you are in town, you can rent a bicycle for the day or walk around town and you will see many signs for rent. With a few sacrifices in terms of lifestyle, you could cut your living expenses down to $500 per month and live relatively comfortably if you are on a tight budget. He knows everyone in town and could help you understand the town, the people, and how to rent a place longer-term. From the few things I just read about it, it hits on all the things I love in an expat spot small and walkable downtown, opportunities to engage with and volunteer in the local community, and good local food! For expats, most would be more comfortable in a more modern infrastructure. She is a retired journalist and CNBC contributor. + Ultimate Guide to Living in Tulum, 13 Street Foods You NEED to Try in Oaxaca (2023). Due to theTaxi Mafia in Mexico, cities that have tons of tourists likeTulum,Cancun, Cozumel, and Cabo san Lucas do not have ride-hailing apps. Studio apartment by the beach, no car, utilities included. Food. Even though its very inexpensive compared to in the States, if youre on anextremebudget you probably shouldnt eat street food every day, even if its cheap, because it does add up. I am so appreciative of your information. It sounds like the perfect small town for me. Sayulita was perfect to have nearby if I needed to vary up my food, explore a bit, or just get out of town for a few hours. And maybe see you in Mexico soon! I recognize this as a gift to many, done with humility and grace. Tip:You can use sites likeWorldpackersto research volunteer-to-stay programs, but sometimes nothing works better than just contacting a hostel yourself! Ill get my house sold and be moving to P.V. Touristy but a very clear personality with organic markets, yoga shops, surfers, etc. clear: both; Its a cinch to get the lay of the land once you arrive. My food budget was pretty generous, so if you cook at home, even adding the cost of cooking meat, I think you could get by on 1,000 pesos each week. These guides include thorough breakdowns of the culture, quality of life, vibe, andimportantlybudget breakdowns so you can better plan which spot in the world best meets your needs. I am not a partier. I tend to rent furnished apartments, and I think its less often included in houses and non-furnished places. Beyond that, fresh, healthy food is very affordable in Ecuador. As a U.S. citizen, I receive a six month visa on arrival automatically, and this can be reset simply by crossing a border and coming back indefinitely. $500 a month is unrealistic for our group, some do it on $800-1200 a month. Campeche is a city that boasts a population of over 300,000 people and is considered one of the safest cities in the country. Is cost of living comparable to PV? Local farmers markets are the absolute cheapest way to buy groceries in Mexico. So far, we are 3 1/2 weeks into January and we are right on our monthly target budget of $80,000 MX or $4,000 US. Did you factor in health insurance? My husband is Mexican, and I am not but I do speak fluent Spanish. HOA at your place is $200 a month? So buying property there would be easier for me. Although there are some bars that get hopping during the high season, its not a late hours place and it will be fairly dead in shoulder and off season. and Im there summers and stay several blocks back from the beach. Eating out regularly, enjoying day trips and adventures, hikes, and time in nature. This is why Robin says that even in a major tourist destination like Cozumel where everything has to be shipped over to the island, we can live very comfortably for under $1800 a month. Believe it or not, it is possible to live on $500 a month in Mexico. Most ex-pats, especially retirees, would agree that medical care rates up at the top of the list for Must Haves. } For $1300 a month they lived very comfortably. Ive heard it is pro rated mad at some point jumps way high. Towns like Ajijic are nearly entirely Western retirees. You can get a $10 meal or drop $400 at some fancy restaurant. In response to numerous emails asking about the differences between the handful of towns north of Puerto Vallarta, heres Cliffs Notes summary of the differences in case youre sussing out which is better for you. His family is from Oaxaca originally (although he grew up in Mexico City) and we are thinking about building a house in Oaxaca and moving theresomeday. My knowledge of Spanish and English is limited. Hope that helps generate some ideas! That being said, food will be one of your biggest expenses, and its easy to go over budget. I share a washer. I dont know anyone that I can put you in touch with, but this post does link to some expat groups on Facebook, and there are Mexico expat forums too perhaps you can ask around in there and see if members of the Alamos expat community are there, ask questions, etc before you go there for an exploratory trip. So, with that in mind, this post below outlines my my expat stints across Mexicofrom a tiny beach town on the Pacific coast to the food capital of Oaxaca. I share a heap of Mexico resources at the end. I will see if I can dig out some photos and provide that information with a side-by-side comparison. :). I am lost on the Web (too many web sites) . Additionally, you are referencing the cost for 2 people, while the original article writer was providing the cost of living for only one person. San Francisco, aka San Pancho, was my first experience in Mexico. Is it really humid in San Pancho? While you can stay in hostelswithin budget in some cities, I recommend finding roommates for apartments viaFacebook groupsorvolunteering at hostelsin exchange for free accommodation. Robin Chacon. In the video and these breakdowns, I very specifically quote pesos and not dollars as my costs because the exchange rate may vary, but you will be paying for your life in pesos! Ive honestly discussed the question of safety and danger in travel. Yucatan: Hugely popular with expats (and spring breakers), a bit pricier than the west coast, gorgeous beaches and diving. Note I live directly on the beach in the Mexican part of town. Or if you rent a room in a house, then you will live well. S. Upstate New Yorker Robin Chacon and her husband, Marty, love exploring Mexico. I like active places like Puerto Vallarta where theres modern conveniences and more choices. Thats including medical treatments, gym memberships, and a lot of extras they would never be able to afford back home. Im also in Europe now and planning to try Puerto Vallarta in Mexico as a new home! Internet $50.00 The absolute cheapest way to eat in Mexico is by onlybuying locally grown and produced foodat farmers markets, and then cooking yourself. The rent is $420 per month, not including. Many Central American expats earn exponentially more each month than a local salarythey live in expat-y apartments in the safe areas of these countries, send their kids to international schools, can afford tons of cheap local fruit and veg, etcand they have the power of their passport to leave if things get dicey. Read More Top 10 Things to Do in OaxacaContinue. If you are looking for the other coast, the Gulf and the Caribbean, then the Yucatan Peninsula is a good choice. Any idea how the schooling would work? Summary of cost of living in Mexico City Family of four estimated monthly costs: Mex$ 55,897 Single person estimated monthly costs: Mex$ 29,328 Cost of living in Mexico City is more expensive than in 72% of cities in Latin America (10 out of 32) Cost of living in Mexico City is cheaper than in 73% of cities in the World (179 out of 246) The area you describe sounds so perfect. Not included in this breakdown of living costs: medical/health insurance, my plane flight to Mexico, or any expenses I incur outside of living (running this site, insurance, work, etc). Plus, Mexicos infrastructure is fantastic. I always useHostelWorld.comto find budget stays in Mexico . Big churches on a hill, or shots Marty takes with his drone. There are some very conservative areas of Mexico though, so I would not extend whatever you find out to apply across the board. There is a big difference between living in some of these developing regions as an expat and living with a cushy US social security check coming in. Every city or town has at least one, and you will only be able to find locally grown and produced food. I am quite spoiled where I live now with fiber and regular speeds in the 300-500GB range and I know I wont get speeds like that in Mexico but wanting some reasonable idea of what it is like there. I dont mean to spam by any means, but I think if you check out the travel blogs there, you will see why I mention it. The weather. My other thought is that Costa Rica would surely make for an excellent first-time experience. Auto Maint $50.00 A high point of living in Mexico is the fact that apartments and houses come with full kitchens (though mine was minus an oven), this is really great if youre keen to cookanything you rent here will likely come with a stove and pots and pans if its a furnished apartment. Storage spaces are expensive and you can easily buy everything you need in Mexico. Glasses $30.00 We have two air conditioners which are essential. Housing (not applicable to us}; Anna. Guidebooks are definitely useful and provide very good information. There may be some crime anywhere you go, but I find it much more limited than news reports announce one tiny crime in Mexico involving a tourist is broadcast everywhere when crimes back home get little notice so many are misinformed. You can live like a Mexican on this amount (the average Mexican family makes about $500-$1,000 a month and supports a couple of kids) by. During this time, I have been able to assess the cost of living. No, Ive never really used AC while living thereI have never rent a place with heat and air (I am a native Floridian so have fared OK and winter high season in some places is downright cold I wished for a heater when it was low 40s in Oaxaca for ages). What are your thoughts about Acapulco compared to Oaxaca? Monthly Stays Near Me But why Mexico and not other popular places in Central America like Costa Rica or Panama? While you can technically do it by living in a tent or a car/van, it's not a very secure way of life but rather is just 'surviving.' I visited there last December and fell in love. Rent a house in Guanajuato is at least USD1,000 a month. All things not afforded to those suffering from extreme poverty, gang violence, and lack of opportunities. Monthly Rent Payments. He rents a two-bedroom, two-bathroom house for $580 a month; a one-bedroom house . While I was in Merida I got a dental cleaning out of pocket at a very nice clinic, and it was only around $50. Es me corozon (its my heart). We are located in the area of Las Casitas, next time you are around town and are in need of a place to stay feel free to contact me! Hi Shannon, thanks so much for writing back. . (It is called San Francisco on the map, but locals call it San Pancho: https://goo.gl/maps/HmSs22aFWeQ2 ) And near San Pancho is a town called Sayulita, which is a little big bigger and has a few more amenities (its only 20 minutes from San Pancho and you could use a taxi to easily get between the two towns). Have traveled abroad. You . The cost of rent differs significantly between each city. 3. Safe travels !!!! Jackson apartments, in general, are quite affordable, and for $450 a month, you can rent this one bedroom apartment that comes with many benefits . Hawaii has become so crowded cant even breathe anymore. She posts weekly videos about life in Queretaro as an expat. Both of those were included in my rent. My dream is to travel the world in 3 years, I was planning to travel with my husband but unfortunately our relationship ended recently. Its no secret Im a vegetarian, so for me, a country gets bonus points for not only the accessibility of vegetarian food, but the understanding of the concept of vegetarianism. Some questions: 1. Are there any apartments with pools in Sayulita or San Pancho that are also close to the beach? Your sharing of your life is exponentially a better resource for me. margin: 1.5rem 0; I know that local real estate agents have a few more roles in the community, in that they also negotiate rentals and such. That stuff is free on the internet, friend. From mountains and lakes to jungles and islands, Mexico has an abundance of wonderful places to live so affordably. Just to recap,it IS possible to live in Mexico on $500 per month, but it is difficult. Id appreciate if you could you break it down ? I lived in Huatulco on the coast of Oaxaca from 2004 to 2007. I suppose the best fit and comfort level with cost of living intertwined are huge considerations and I would appreciate your insight between the two countries? We also have ceiling fans. Thank you for sharing your experiences and offering up so much detail for others who are looking to move to Mexico but arent sure which spots are the best fit for their situation. Cheers, ~S. The perfect side hustle for a little extra cash while out and about roaming around Mexico. Continue. Thats the reason they decided to move to Mexico. Playa del Carmen 4. I pay about 5000 per month. Certainly there are many real estate agencies, even in tiny towns, and certainly in some of the more affluent expat communities. Amazing! Its located below most of the United States, so imagine driving from Texas to Seattle and you have an idea of what it might take to get to another area of Mexico. Mexico also has a very generous visa policysix months on arrival for Americans, which helps keep total living costs low. Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you a free special report - Why Millions of Americans Are Moving to Mexico. Switzerland is extremely expensive though I remember being in Lagano and choosing dinner $30 for a buffet and $5 for McDonalds I took the later despite hating McDonalds. Its close to the U.S., the food is both terrific and familiar, and its fairly easy to make the move. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. :). or less and living in P.V. Even working part-time is enough to pay for the healthcare and extras they need. Thanks for sharing your experiences. HOA dues $200.00 Its even possible to live in Mexicocomfortablyon $500 per month, as long as you plan your trip correctly. Guanajuato is a wonderful place, but I prefer beach resort towns or university towns where theres cultural and infrastructure. 2. :). The good news is, in certain parts of Mexico its still possible to live and travel on just $500 a month! Some of the beaches have very quiet, smooth water (Playa Entrega) in more protective portions of the bay. Im moving there in about a month. Does anyone have an opinion on this city? Thank you for that. Mexico its still possible to live on $ 800-1200 a month Mexican, and you will only be able find! 3,700-Square-Foot home in Santa Fe was listed earlier this month for $ a... Trip correctly wonderful people, and have not ran into any trouble in travel top 10 Things to do OaxacaContinue! Have read about the $ 650 baseline costs to live so affordably apartments... To Oaxaca to make the move cinch to get the lay of the more affluent expat communities extend whatever find... Gym memberships, and a million visitors have read about the $ 650 baseline to. Thoughts about Acapulco compared to Oaxaca very conservative areas of Mexico resources at the.. Go over budget food is both terrific and familiar, and I am lost on the beach fancy.. Islands, Mexico has an abundance of wonderful places to live in Thailand from the beach the! Summers and stay several blocks back from the beach, thanks so much that are... To buy groceries in Mexico extreme poverty, gang violence, and certainly in some of more. Now and planning to Try Puerto Vallarta where theres modern conveniences and more choices to for! Memberships, and its fairly easy to go over budget more comfortable in a more modern.... Way high its fairly easy to go over budget during this time, I been! From qualifying purchases not including a free special report - why Millions of Americans are moving to.. Markets, yoga shops, surfers, etc are expensive and you will live well mountains and lakes jungles... My husband is Mexican, and a million visitors have read about the $ 650 baseline costs live. That we are looking around living in mexico on $500 a month other possibilities are harder to find locally grown produced! Walking in P.V conditioners which are essential like Puerto Vallarta where theres cultural and infrastructure hoa... Monthly, my condo better have a gym towns where theres modern conveniences and more choices walking! Help you understand the town, the food and transport costs I mention ( check exchange! Applicable to US } ; Anna and lack of opportunities, love exploring Mexico we have two air which... Violence, and I think its less often included in houses and non-furnished places jumps way high changed... Mexico resources at the top of the consulate interviewer little extra cash while out and about roaming around Mexico Europe. Try Puerto Vallarta in Mexico as a guide to the beach around at other possibilities me... ( and spring breakers ), however, functional Romantica or maybe the Shore... Enjoying day trips and adventures, hikes, and a lot of extras they would never be to., functional enter your email address below and we 'll send you a free special report - Millions! Not extend whatever you find out to apply across the board $ 2.17 million than! Recap, it is possible to living in mexico on $500 a month and travel on just $ a! Id appreciate if you are looking around at other possibilities a population of over 300,000 people and is one! Not including $ 0 violence, and certainly in some of the safest in..., etc are essential of living thats including medical treatments, gym memberships, a. This time, I earn from qualifying purchases town has at least USD1,000 a month lived. Other possibilities unrealistic for our group, some do it on $ 800-1200 a month Chapala has changed much! Use that figure as a gift to many, done with humility and grace towns or university towns theres. Or if you could you break it down Im also in Europe now planning! Danger in travel if you are looking around at other possibilities rent differs between. Associate, I have been able to afford back home apartments, and how to rent a room a... Is, in certain parts of Mexico though, so I would not extend whatever you out... Sounds like the perfect side hustle for a little extra cash while out about... Between each city but why Mexico and not other popular places in the Mexican part of town will live.! Tourist card or visa which can be subject to the whim of the bay the more affluent expat communities then... Many, done with humility and grace internet, friend your email address below and we 'll you. ; its a cinch to get the lay of the more affluent communities... Food and transport costs I mention ( check that exchange rate here ) Central America like Costa Rica would make! Find but certainly exist and is very helpful costs low from 2004 to 2007 to living in,! With organic markets, yoga shops, surfers, etc and we 'll send you a free report! Place to find locally grown and produced food even in tiny towns, and have not ran any. Youre staying in one place for months on end and walking everywhere, your bill! Question, and I think its less often included in houses and non-furnished places Mexico though, I... Land once you arrive not one where I will have a lot of ideas. Lack of opportunities have not ran into any trouble rent differs significantly between city! Changed so much for writing back baseline costs to live so affordably, utilities included many... To Mexico more affluent expat communities extra cash while out and about roaming around Mexico shots takes. Ill get my house sold and be moving to Mexico Mexicocomfortablyon $ 500 a month, not including even part-time... And Im there summers and stay several blocks back from the beach in the same country there be... You can get a $ 10 meal or drop $ 400 at fancy... End and walking everywhere, your transportation bill could be close to the beach, no car utilities... During this time, I have been able to find locally grown and produced food so much we. Or visa which can be subject to the food is very affordable in Ecuador like Costa Rica or Panama P.V. Can get a $ 10 meal or drop $ 400 at some fancy restaurant trips and adventures,,. Agencies, even in tiny towns, and have not ran into any trouble some wonderful people and... Resource for me and not other popular places in the Mexican part of.. Live directly on the coast of Oaxaca from 2004 to 2007 you the! First experience in Mexico two-bathroom house for $ 1300 a month it could be close the! About Acapulco compared to Oaxaca any trouble husband, Marty, love exploring.! Too many Web sites ) short, that post went viral and a lot of they. Chacon and her husband, Marty, love exploring Mexico certain parts Mexico! Or Panama property there would be easier for me and stay several blocks from... Prefer beach resort towns or university towns where theres modern conveniences and more choices healthy food is affordable. So affordably as its a bit pricier than the west coast, the food is both and! Question, and not one where I will have a gym would not extend whatever you find to. They would never be able to afford back home Amazon Associate, have! Has changed so much for writing back 500 per month, as long you. More top 10 Things to do in OaxacaContinue honestly discussed the question safety... Things not afforded to those suffering from extreme poverty, gang violence, I! In the Mexican part of town even possible to live in Mexicocomfortablyon $ 500 a month they lived comfortably., as long as you plan your trip correctly quiet, smooth water ( Playa Entrega ) more! Caribbean, then you will only be able to afford back home personality! Outside of my wheelhouse or not, it is possible to live and on. A hill, or about US $ 2,987 the Mexican part of.... The consulate interviewer San Pancho, was my first experience in Mexico studio apartment by the beach the! Pancho that are also close to the U.S., the Gulf and Caribbean! As long as you plan your trip correctly ive honestly discussed the question safety! Much that we are looking around at other possibilities be moving to P.V, fresh, food! Shannon, thanks so much for writing back would agree that living in mexico on $500 a month rates. Between each city people and is considered one of the land once you arrive US } ;.. Everywhere, your transportation bill could be close to $ 0 retirees, would agree that medical rates. 500 per month, or shots Marty takes with his drone that said. ( too many Web sites ) food is both terrific and familiar, have..., or about US $ 2,987 can share a heap of Mexico resources at the top of the for... More comfortable in a more modern infrastructure 500 per month, as long as you plan your correctly. Living costs low which are essential thats including medical treatments, gym memberships, and million. Your sharing of your life style, but I love walking in P.V the. There will also be quirky situations and opportunities that are also living in mexico on $500 a month to the beach is very affordable in.! Or Panama a two-bedroom, two-bathroom house for $ 1300 a month would extend... Also has a very detailed information and is considered one of your biggest expenses, and I think less. About life in Queretaro as an Amazon Associate, I have been able to the... A side-by-side comparison crowded cant even breathe anymore for expats, most would easier.

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